The Portland daily press., 1887-01-03
TRAVELLING MEN AT DINNER.
A jolly Good Time at the Preble
House,
At the First Annual Meeting of the
Maine association.

Saturday evening 1876 gentlemen gathered
in the parlors of the Preble House. The
party consisted of members of the Maine
Commercial Travellers Association and
their guests, who met to participate in the
enjoyment Of the first annual dinner of the
society. Tho Travellers Association was
formed about year ago, being the outcome
of the desire On the part of the representa-
tives of leading wholesale house of the State
to form an association for mutual benefit and
social enjoyment. The organization met
with warm reception by the commercial
men, who gave the association so hearty
support that now at the end of its first year
1t is on firm basis and has already been of
great benefit to its members.
Mine Host Gibson of the Preble was ready
for his guests and the tables looked as hand
some as they always do upon such an occa-
sion at this hotel. An abundance of flowers
was used in the decoration, and with the
gittering silver ware presented a pleasing
appearance. The menu cards, from design
by Architect John Calvin Stevens, were par
ticularly tasty. On the first page was
weary drummer resting under the portico of
the Preble, and on the last page he was rep.
resented as being in nearly empty railroad
car, approaching young lady, and saying
II beg pardon; is this seat engaged?"
Under the direction of President J. H
Dow, the members of the association and
their invited guests, including Messrs w. H,
Milliken, j, E. Blabon, w. W. Latham, L.
M. Cousens, A. H. Sawyer, EdwardlTomlin-
son, T. A. Joselyn, Charles Cook, l.. A.
Goudy, H. B. Pennell. Charles Staples, and
representatives of the city papers. were seat
ed at the tables, and did justice to the menu
| which was as follows:
Blue Points
| Green Turtle SOUP
| Boiled Salmon Lobster Sauce.
Small Potatoes.
Celery Olives.
| Boiled Capon, Celery Sauce.
| Puree of Potatoes. String Beans.
Apricot Fritters. Rhine Wine Sauce.
| Lamb Outlets. Dreaded Tomato Sauce.
Roast Tenderoin Of Beef. with Mushrooms.
Sweet Potatoes
Asparagus, French Peas.
Maraching Ice.
Cigarettes.
Haunch of Venson, with jelly
Lobster Salad. Chicken Salad.
Harlequin leg I,n, Ice Cream Cream; !, Assorted S Cake
| OlldilOlto huSSc d Id Oudnlilld.
Fruit. Chamnagne jelly
| Coffee. Cigars.i
The efficient way in which Head Waiter
Clarity's assistants did their work contrib
uted much to the enjoyment of the dinner
which reflected credit upon the cuisine of the
Preble House.
The post prandial exercises were opened
by President Dow, who spoke in an enter.
tanning manner, referring to the growth Of
the association during the first year of its ex.
istence. He said that the society had ex.
ceeded the anticipations of its projectors
and from its establishment as social organi
cation they had been enabled to make it q
benefit association as well. He concluded by
asking all to resolve to do their level best fol
the houses they represent, for the reputation
Of their firms depend greatly upon their eff
| forts and conduct. The remarks of the
president were received with great applause
The other speeches were brief and called
out hearty applause, the many good point,
being received with the appreciation fol
which commercial travellers are noted. The
speakers were as follows: j. E. Blabon, Esq.
President of the Board of Trade Messrs
Milliken, w. III. Smith of the Express, Z. S
Osgood of the Argus, Edward Winslow, A
III. Sawyer, M. S. Gibson of the Preblt
House, I. A. Joselyn, w. w. Latham ant
others. Mr.. FL. L. Damon favored the com
pany with two songs, rendered in a fine
manner, in one of which he improyised
bringing in mine host and the house, which
called out three cheers for Mr.. Gibson. Ma
jor w. M. Jordan, in response to call, re
cited poem, "You Can't Judge Man by
the Coat He Wears
Letters of regret were read by the Presi
dent from the following: Joseph A. Ball
President of the New England Commercial
Travellers Association; George b. Kent
Secretary Of the same organization; E. ii
Elwell, of the Transcript; A. G. Whiting
Secretary of the Burlington Travellers As
ISOLATION, and w. W. Walker, President O
the same.
vote OF thanks was passed to Messrs. E
Ponce, Thomas Clarey and Blinn Williams
for donations of cigars for the occasion.
The Avery Lactate Company, through it
representative, Mr.. G. NJ. Cutter, furnished
liberal amount of their delicious non-alco
holic drink. Lactate Champagne, and tn
company testified their thanks by the amour
of the beverage which they disposed Of dur
ing the evening.
After most enjoyable session of nearl,
three hours, the company dispersed, afte
singing "Auld Lang Syne," all expressing
desire to be present at the next annual din
ner, and expressing great satisfaction at tn
efficient manner in which the officers ant
committee had performed their work in pre-
pairing for this occasion. The President O.
the association is Mr.. ]. II. Dow, the Score
tary and Treasurer Mr.. K. S. Everett, ant
the committee of arrangements Messrs. j
Fred. Marston, Harry G. Eastman and Ed
win S. Stevens.
The annual business meeting of the asso
citation will be held this evening at room Nc
6, Browns Block, when the election of off
GERS will take place. Changes Of the consti
tuition and bylaws will also be considered
and full attendance is earnestly desired.
A Delightful Surprise Party.
Mr.. Isaac c. Atkinson is man of grea
push and enterprise. A comparative strang
er to Portland two years ago, there is proba
bly, no one of our tradesmen better know
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